Recent content by Ramon

The reason I feel it is low is as follows. 1. Every person I know is still in business because they are the cheapest around. The dealerships around here will drop you in a second for a lower price. 2. I feel I would like to net 60 per hour from my business. The way I calculate expenses and...

I have a 3,500 psi @ 5.6 gpm machine. I cannot to this day get the pump to run smooth from a water tank. I used a 1 1/2" hos to a 1" filter to 2-3/4" hoses feeding both sides of the pump and it would still run funky. But if I run it from a float tank with 1/2" hose it runs perfect. Go figure...

Big Reds, Maybe I should have made this a little more clear. The companies using the DI water are window cleaning companies so it will work well for cleaning windows. I wasn't sure if you thought I meant that it doesn't work as well. I have washed a few houses and I use DI for the whole...

Big Reds, I get DI water from a company called Ionics. Culligan and US Filter are national companies that distribute the tanks. As for window cleaning some companies use the technique of brushing the windows and then rinsing with DI water. Later Ramon ------------------

I know alot of people who wash dealerships. They use either 1500 psi @ 3.5 gpm or 2,000 psi @ 3 gpm. They all use DI water. You are right there is not much money in it. I know people who rinse and dry a car for .35 each the average around here is .75-1.00. DI water is the best thing since peanut...

I had a rep for Eaochem willing to sell 55 gallon drums of Glowry for 165.00 delivered. I have heard it is a good soap. I recently switched to a different soap from a local rep. As for DI water you don't need hot water to wash trucks here in so. cal. in fact I see no real benefit. As for DI...

Tuff Super Skid for sale-3,500 psi @ 5.6 gpm. 20 hp Vanguard WS-202 pump Float tank Wayne 12v burner Flow meter and metering valve for chems 11 gal gas, 9 gal diesel 317 hours, runs perfect Bought-$4,500 Sell-$3,000 New in Jan. 2000 Contact- Ramon Cote 760-723-0815...

Dave, You are making me jealous! All of these big trucks and huge machines. I am considering the same thing. I got a price for a 16.8 hp diesel hot water unit 3,500 psi @ 5.7 gpm 10,000. That is not a bad price for such a beast but I must ask. Wouldn't two 3,000 psi @ 5 gpm machines work? Or...

One easy fix to your water supply problem would be to add a small water tank with a float valve on it. A 30 or 55 gallon drum with a bulk head fitting and float valve would cost less than a hundred bucks. It would help in the situations you mentioned. Ramon

hotwizard, So what do you use? I am waiting on pins and needles! Ramon

Mileer, I have a guy about 20 minutes from me with one. If I ever get a day off I will take a look at it. Ramon

I agree Scott, Experience says alot. A local competitor does 53' trailers in 5 minutes. 4 guys and 2 machines. If he charges $10 each that's 120 hr. gross. Deduct 60 per hour from that for labor, fuel, chemicals, and equipment depreciation. I believe he charges more than 10 dollars but I will...

Around here the big guys keep the prices low in fleetwashing. It sures keeps the newbees out. I am an advanced newbee and can finally compete with them. I don't know if it is better to keep prices low or raise them and open the gate of new business start-ups and create more competitors. Any...

Hey Rob, That's about what I paid. I think it costs me about 50 cents per trailer definately less than a dollar for soap and 2 dollars for labor. If I worked alone I probably wouldn't bother brushing. It seems expensive to me to twin chem. Ramon

Glenn, I agree. I worked alone for about 9 months. I never made much money doing fleets. Then I hired a good employee. Now it goes real fast. I have competitors doing OTR tractors and 53' trailers for $6 each. I charge almost three times that. Three companies here do 95% of the work. If you...